-gov’t response to public criticism must not be seen as attack
-President Ali says

THE government of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) is receptive to criticism, but President, Dr Irfaan Ali emphasises that the administration’s response to public criticism should not be interpreted as an attack. Instead, it should be viewed as the government’s exercise of its democratic right to defend its policies and represent itself.

The Head of State’s comments came on Wednesday during an appearance on the News Room’s evening broadcast, where he responded to recent criticisms coming from sections of the country’s indigenous population.
Currently, indigenous villages leaders (toshaos) are convening in Georgetown for the 2024 National Toshaos (NTC) Conference. The body and the government in the past few days have received beatings of criticism from individuals and organisations such as the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA).
“We give the toshaos the opportunity and the respect, very importantly, respect as leaders, to interrogate the government. That is why we have the cabinet presenting before them. That is why they have this opportunity to question the cabinet. They have this opportunity to question policy. They have this opportunity to scrutinise the delivery of various government services,” President Ali said.

He noted that the government welcomes criticisms and reserved the democratic right to respond and make its case.
However, he pointed out that certain perspectives tend to become “crystallised” with a particular emphasis on a political agenda.

“The disagreement is welcome. Every day we see people who don’t disagree with us in the media. Every day, I can point to articles every so often that you yourself disagree with the media would disagree with us. That is okay. That’s what a democracy is about. We don’t have any issue with persons disagreeing, but when you disagree, we also have a democratic right to present our case,” President Ali further stated.